Making My Home Spooktacular for Halloween

Although it's not a huge holiday for us, I always try to find the time to prepare for Halloween. It goes by so quickly, but I still get pleasure in finding fun, creepy projects in which to decorate the house. Jason couldn't really be fussed with Halloween unless we are going to a party, but this year, we have decided to stay home and pass out treats to the neighborhood children who will come knocking on our doors tomorrow night.

Last year, I purchased fake spider webs and hung large, furry spiders across the front porch entrance. This year, however, I wanted to kick it up a notch.

After having seen this idea on Martha Stewart's website, I decided to try it for myself (but with some minor changes).

To complete this project you will need:

• colored cellophane wrapping paper (preferably red or green)
• black craft paper on a roll
• scissors
• tape
• marker
• creepy imagination

To begin, cut and tape a sheet of the colored cellophane wrapping paper to the inside pane of your home's window.

Next, cut a sheet of the black craft paper and use a marker to draw your choice of silhouette. Make sure that the paper is curling toward the floor. For my design, I drew a witch stirring a nasty brew in her cauldron as a feisty bat flies over her head.

They are up to no good.

Once you have your silhouette mapped out, cut it out carefully with scissors. If you want to spell something out, I advise writing it backwards. After your pieces are cut out, adhere tape to the side of the cut out that curls toward the floor. When you position the pieces on your cellophane window treatment, the curl in the paper will keep it flat against the window. (Otherwise, you risk having your design curling up.)

He's a bit batty.

Stirring up some trouble.

Make sure you have a bright light on in the room. This will help to sharply define your Halloween-inspired silhouette.

BOO! indeed.

Once all of your windows are completed, the final effect is having an eerie glow coming from your home with creepy suggestions of terror and mayhem. Happy Halloween!

"Where there is no imagination, there is no horror."
- Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.